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To enhance the state's road network, government will set up a regulatory body on lines of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The authority will be mandated to oversee the road construction and get the necessary approval for the concessionaire. To embark its ambitious project of connecting divisional headquarters with four lanes and spread wide road network all across the state, the government decided to constitute an authority. The necessary approvals have been granted by the planning commission in its meeting on Wednesday.

"As per the arrangements, in our projects, state government and central government will put in 20 Percent each in projects. Rest of the finance will be arranged through private public partnerships" said Yoonus Khan, PWD minister.

He added "We will soon bring a bill on it in the assembly for which draft has been ready. Once it is approved and gets cleared by the president, the authority will start functioning." State highway authority will also look into the possibilities of financing its project through World Bank, NABARD and other banks. For the five years, government has planned to construct nearly 20,000 kms of roads in the state.

The state government plans to make all the state highways minimum 10 m wide. At present there is irregularity in the width. The body will also develop traffic rules and road safety regulations. The authority will get the power to take action on those who damage the roads.

Meanwhile, the PWD department has also started its preparation for the rural road development authority. This body will have the task to connect state's 10,000 villages. "Once we are operational with state highway authority we will make Rajasthan rural development authority, specifically for the rural roads," Khan added.

Source-On Request